During the Aug. 3 call to a police sergeant, Dewhurst claimed to be the top choice for public safety officials.

“I’m the No. 1 pick, and I want you to do whatever is the proper thing,” he said during the call.

The move drew criticism from Democrats and Republicans, including his opponent in the March 4 primary, state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, who called it a “blatant abuse of power.”

Dewhurst has been endorsed by Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, Texas Fraternal Order of Police, Texas Municipal Police Association, Department of Public Safety Officers Association Political Action Committee and Texas State Association of Fire Fighters.

Josh Thurlkill, Texas Municipal Police Association president, said Dewhurst has been a “great advocate in the trenches of political warfare by standing tall for the men and women of law enforcement around the state.”